Phenethyl isothiocyanate-induced cytoskeletal changes and cell death in lung cancer cells

► H1299 cells were more sensitive to phenethyl isothiocyanate than A549 cells. ► The inhibitory effect of PEITC was dose-dependent but not time-dependent at low concentrations of PEITC. ► PEITC induced disassembly of stress fibers and degradation of tubulin which, most likely, contributed to cell death induction. ► The apoptosis-inducing potency of PEITC is the main factor responsible for cell growth inhibition. ► H1299 cells exhibited morphological features of mitotic catastrophe.